Community Altars: A Celebration of Life

Exhibition Website

Sep 17 2016 - Nov 13 2016

Community Altars: A Celebration of Life coincides with the Museum’s 33rd Annual Celebration of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). 

Artists, community groups, and individuals are invited to create commemorative altars to celebrate the lives of both influential figures who served the Austin community, but also loved ones who have passed. [...]

Día de los Muertos is an ancient, Mexican and Mexican American religious holiday, with a historically rich tradition that integrates pre-Columbian and Catholic customs. It is often celebrated in Mexico on November 1 and 2 (dates vary by region and may be longer) in connection with the Catholic Holy Days of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. 

For many Latin American countries, it is a time to honor and greet the departed as they make their journey back to be with the living each year. These days are a time for families and friends to gather in celebration of life and death. The circle of life, rather than loss and sorrow, is embraced. 

Mindful of the day’s historical-religious roots, Mexic-Arte Museum transforms the celebration by mixing popular with traditional materials, sacred with secular objects, personal with social issues, and popular art with contemporary expressions.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website

  • Installation
  • Latin American
  • Contemporary
  • Sacred
  • Mexico

Exhibition Venues & Dates